Balloons

Instead of using balloons for decoration, try a more environmentally sustainable option like paper flowers that can be composted

Band-Aids

Band-Aids should be placed in your green-topped bin.

Batteries (household)

Do not place household batteries, fluorescent globes/CFLs, mobile phones or ink cartridges in your household bins. They can be recycled but only if disposed of correctly. You can drop these items off at

Beads (Bean bag/Cushion/Packing/polystyrene)

Small amounts of polystyrene/Styrofoam, including beads (bean bag/cushion/packing beads/pellets) should be placed in your general waste bin as it can’t be recycled through your kerbside recycling bin.

Beer bottles

Yellow-topped recycling bin, even if the glass is broken.

Lids need to be removed from bottles and jars for processing.

Bottle tops and lids larger than the size of a business card (eg. lids from jam jars) are much easier to sort, and can be placed in your yellow-lid recycling bin, provided they are separated from the bottle or container.

Plastic bottle tops smaller than the size of a business card should not be placed in recycling bins, and need to be placed in your green-lid rubbish bin. Some schools also collected them for art projects.

Steel bottle tops can be recycled via this method:

Steel bottle tops are too small to go straight in the recycling bin; they will fall through the sorting machines. The best way to recycle them is to collect them in an empty steel can and when the can is about half full squeeze the top closed and put the can and tops in the recycling bin. At the recycling station, magnets will pick up the steel can, with the tops inside and drop them in a collection basket ready to be melted down and reused.

Bicycles

There are numerous charities that will accept unwanted bicycles and bike parts.

Contact the Recycling Shop at the Recycling Centre Balcatta , 238 Balcatta Road. Open 7 days a week. www.stirling.wa.gov.au or call 9205 8555 or Bicycles for Humanity Bicycles can also be put on the verge at the time of your junk verge collection.

Blinds and Window Coverings

Bulk verge collection

Bricks

Construction and demolition waste such as bricks should never be disposed of in any of your bins.

Broken glass

All glass (except light bulbs) should go into your yellow-topped bin, even if it is broken.

If you have light bulbs/ fluorescent tubes you need to dispose of they must be taken to your nearest Household Hazardous Waste disposal site.

Glass containers should be rinsed to remove residue where possible. Tip: you can use your left over washing up water for this.

Don't forget to remove the lids.

Bubble wrap

You can take small amounts of bubble wrap to major supermarkets such as Coles or Woolworths for recycling with your other soft plastics – look for the soft plastic collection bin at the front of the store. If you're not able to drop it off, small amounts of bubble wrap should be disposed of in your green-lid rubbish bin.